The Federal High Court in Abuja has indefinitely adjourned the terrorism trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), following his protest against the trial judge’s continued handling of the case.
Justice Binta Nyako announced the indefinite postponement on Monday after Kanu expressed a lack of confidence in her, marking the second time in four months he has raised concerns about her impartiality.
“I am not happy with the decision of the Chief Judge,” Kanu said, objecting to the case being returned to Justice Nyako. He insisted that the judge had previously recused herself and that he could not be prosecuted while she remained in charge of the trial.
Prosecution counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) objected to Kanu’s remarks, arguing that the Chief Judge had reassigned the case to Nyako for Kanu to formally raise his objection. He accused Kanu of disrespecting the court by failing to file an official application.
Justice Nyako, however, adjourned the case indefinitely following Kanu’s continued insistence that she step down.
Kanu, who has been in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) since 2021, is facing charges of terrorism and treasonable felony over his separatist activities.
IPOB, which he leads, is pushing for the secession of the South-East and parts of neighboring states to form an independent Biafra nation.
Earlier in the proceedings, Awomolo informed the court that the prosecution was ready to proceed with the trial, but Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, reiterated his client’s refusal to stand trial before Justice Nyako.
“The defendant is still asking that your lordship recuse herself from this matter,” Ejimakor stated.
The judge responded that “the Chief Judge had not accepted the recusal and had referred the case back” to her for trial, advising the defense to file a formal application if they still objected to her handling of the case.
As the proceedings concluded, Kanu voiced his frustration, questioning the fairness of the judicial process.
“Why is it, when it comes to my case, they turn it upside down, they turn the law upside down?” he yelled.
He criticised the prosecution and the court, accusing them of having “poor knowledge of the law.”
“This is the law of Nigeria, the prosecution and this court doesn’t know the law; that is the fact. Poor knowledge of the law is killing Nigeria,” he added.
In a heated moment, Kanu smacked one of his lawyers on the back, telling him to “stop talking while I’m talking.”
Justice Nyako had previously recused herself from the case in September 2024 after Kanu orally requested her withdrawal.
However, Chief Judge John Tsoho returned the case to her, stating that Kanu’s objection must be formally filed through a motion on notice.
Following this development, Awomolo, in a letter dated December 5, 2024, requested the court to fix a date for the trial.
Ejimakor opposed the request in a letter dated December 9, insisting that Justice Nyako’s recusal remained valid.
He also suggested that the case be transferred to a Federal High Court division in the South-East if no Abuja judge was willing to preside over it.
